The ETH recorded more spin-offs in 2023 than ever before, with a total of 43 new spin-off companies. This surpasses the previous record year of 2019 with 34 spin-offs. There is a clear trend towards companies with links to artificial intelligence (AI), according to a statement. The ETH counted 12 in this area.
Biotech and pharmaceutical spin-offs have traditionally been very strong at the ETH, according to the data. Last year, eight spin-offs were founded in this area. Seven others focus on new materials, information and communication technologies, mechanical engineering, and aerospace engineering.
Eleven of the 43 new spin-offs were founded by women. “The fact that we have managed to encourage more and more women to become entrepreneurs is not only very satisfying for me personally, but also benefits Switzerland’s economy and society as a whole,” commented Vanessa Wood, Vice President for Knowledge Transfer and Corporate Relations.
In 2023, the ETH received 47 million Swiss francs in the form of grants. Spin-offs in earlier years also benefited from considerable investments. For example, the online platform GetYourGuide received 70 million francs and ANYbotics, which develops inspection drones, received 50 million francs. Verity raised 40 million francs for its inventory drones, while Wingtra received 20 million francs for its mapping drones. The biotech company Memo Therapeutics closed a financing round with 25 million Swiss francs. It focuses on research into therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of infectious diseases.
